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Copyright Infringement Copyright Fashion Industry

Knobbe Martens

German Sandals Follow the Functional Footsteps of U.S. Cheerleader Uniform Shape

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In a recent decision, Germany’s Federal Court of Justice held that Birkenstock’s sandal design was not eligible for copyright protection. The court held that Birkenstock sandals did not display sufficient creativity to be...more

Troutman Pepper Locke

Shoe Dupes Walk a Fine Line After Recent IP Infringement Case

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Dupes of original branded items present significant intellectual property (IP) challenges in the fashion industry. Not all fashion products are entitled to IP protection and perceived similarities between products do not...more

Fenwick & West LLP

As AI Colors Fashion, Copyright Remains a Gray Area

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A U.S. federal appeals court recently ruled that works generated solely by artificial intelligence are not eligible for copyright protection. ...more

Quarles & Brady LLP

German Birkenstock Decision Shows the Limits of Copyright Protection for Functional Designs

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“Aber ist es Kunst?” - That question—“But is it art?”—was before the German Bundesgerichtshof (“BGH”), or Federal Court of Justice, in a recent proceeding involving the well-known Birkenstock sandal design. ...more

K&L Gates LLP

Fashion Law Update – February 2025

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In this edition of Fashion Law, we have compiled thought leadership published on our blogs and website throughout 2024—providing an overview of significant legal and regulatory updates in the fashion industry over the past...more

Kaufman & Canoles

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - July 2024 #4

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The breach of contract trial against a woman claiming to be Jerry Jones’ daughter is scheduled to start next Monday, and the Cowboys owner is expected to testify on the witness stand....more

Kaufman & Canoles

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - July 2024

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The National Football League must pay more than $4.7 billion in class-action damages for overcharging subscribers of its “Sunday Ticket” telecasts, a California federal jury said on Thursday....more

Kaufman & Canoles

K&C Sports & Entertainment Law Weekly Roundup - April 2024 #3

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A federal appeals court on Tuesday overturned the West Virginia law banning transgender girls from playing on girls’ sports teams, finding that it violates Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based...more

Clark Hill PLC

When is a Garment Design Copyrightable?

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Can you copyright that new shoe or hoody design that you believe will change the fashion world forever? Likely yes, but it’s complicated. Clothing and apparel have always been deemed “useful articles” because, by their very...more

BakerHostetler

AD-ttorneys@law - January 2023 #2

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Introducing Our Secret Plan to Fight Inflation - It’s simple: Don’t fall afoul of the FTC - ’Twas Ever Thus - Every year, like the swallows returning to Capistrano, the Perseid meteor shower, or a Real Housewives...more

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

Case to Watch: Whose Idea Is 'Ballin?' - Kattison Avenue | Issue 8 - Spring 2022

Apropos of points made in “Do Not Pass ‘Go,’” a graphic designer filed an idea theft suit against Nike, Inc. in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas. In the March 31 suit, the graphic designer claims Nike...more

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

SCOTUS to Decide 17 U.S.C. § 411 Referral Questions

In 2016, Unicolors, Inc., sued H&M for selling clothing that infringed a Unicolor design. The group registration that Unicolors relied on included designs that had not been published as of the publication date set forth on...more

K&L Gates LLP

Fashion Law Update - May 2021 Edition

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In this edition of Fashion Law, we have a huge selection of articles from around the world. As many countries ease into a new way of living with/post COVID-19, the way we do business has changed. Some businesses managed...more

White & Case LLP

Federal Circuit Alters Landscape for Design Patent Litigation

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White & Case Technology Newsflash - Intellectual property litigants may be increasingly addressing design patents. Design patent litigation may be getting lengthier, and this may result in the filing of more design patent...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Making Your Mark

The Top 5 Most Fashionable Intellectual Property Disputes To Walk This Year’s Runways at New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week (NYFW) officially kicks off today, February 7, 2020, with a week’s worth of captivating runway shows from top designers. The timing, however, could not be worse, since the 92nd Academy Awards is airing...more

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

The Katten Kattwalk | Issue 19

The Katten Kattwalk discusses legal issues in the fashion industry affecting the trademarks, patents and copyrights associated with companies, brands and products. ...more

Foley Hoag LLP - Making Your Mark

Star Athletica and the Expansion of Useful Article Protection: Copyright Office Permits Registration of Automotive Floor Liner

The Supreme Court’s decision in Star Athletica v. Varsity Brands established a new and simplified test for determining whether useful articles can obtain copyright protection. Many have wondered, in the year since it was...more

Knobbe Martens

Anything Your Heart Designs: Swarovski Hit with Copyright Infringement of Galatea’s “Two In One Heart” Design

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On December 4, 2017 Galatea Jewelry (“Galatea” or “Plaintiff”) filed a copyright infringement suit in the District Court for the Central District of California against the well-known crystal jewelry producer and retailer...more

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Textile Design Similarity In The Eye Of The Beholder (The Jury): H&M Found Liable For Copyright Infringement

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On December 7, a federal jury in Los Angeles awarded $846,720 in damages to Unicolors, Inc. in its suit against H&M Hennes & Mauritz, LP for copyright infringement of a textile design. Unicolors, Inc. v. H&M Hennes & Mauritz...more

Best Best & Krieger LLP

Fashion Design Copyright Infringement Victory - BB&K Partner Henry Welles Wins Fashion Industry Clothing IP Case

A fashion clothing industry copyright infringement appeal was won by Best Best & Krieger LLP Partner Henry Welles, who represented Natural Fashions, Inc., which does business as Anu. The case was originally brought in federal...more

Knobbe Martens

Catching Counterfeits: Customs Recordation and IP Enforcement

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”), the primary federal agency responsible for securing America’s borders, is also charged with the protection of intellectual property rights and guarding against the infringement of...more

Knobbe Martens

Can’t Say “I Ain’t Mad At Cha” for Copying Me

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On June 1, 2017, noted music and fashion photographer Danny Clinch filed suit in the Southern District of New York in connection with the use of two photographs of famed rapper Tupac Shukar (“Tupac”) on t-shirts. The...more

McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

Practice Tips for Copyright Owners in the Wake of Star Athletica v. Varsity Brands

After considering almost a year’s worth of substantive briefing (including fifteen separate amicus briefs), oral argument, at least ten distinct tests employed in courts throughout the country, as well as numerous novel tests...more

Knobbe Martens

The Top Hits: Fashion Cases with a Big Impact

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Over the last year, there have been some significant trademark and copyright cases in the fashion industry. Below are summaries of recent cases all brand owners should know and understand. These cases touch on important...more

Foley & Lardner LLP

You’ve Gotta Keep ‘Em Separated

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The US Supreme Court’s ruling in Star Athletica v Varsity Brands provides a path to copyrightability for pictorial or graphical elements of clothing designs and useful articles. Laura Ganoza and Julie McGinnis of Foley &...more

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